Google Stays Above Post-Verdict Patent Fray

Published Aug 27, 2012 at 9:02 AM

Receive the latest press-here updates in your inbox

Friday's patent temblor rolled through Silicon Valley with nary a word from the giant in Mountain View. Google did finally say a little about the ruling, without really saying much -- masterful, really. Keeping its Android system at arm's length until things shake out a little more was an objective well-met.

"The court of appeals will review both infringement and the validity of the patent claims," the company said. "We work with our partners to give consumers innovative and affordable products."

And Apple doesn't?? Oh, wait...

The companies in the case whipped up quick press releases on Friday after the $1.049 billion, appeal-bating verdict. Samsung's being a bit more, um, terse:

Apple's New 'Spaceship' HQ in Pictures (Renderings)

"Today's verdict should not be viewed as a win for Apple, but as a loss for the American consumer. It will lead to fewer choices, less innovation, and potentially higher prices."

That last bit pairs with Google's talk point of price points and potential monopoly by Apple on mobile devices.

Google's other point around collaboration with partners fits with its legal help and amicus brief filed on Samsung's behalf during the trial. "The mobile industry is moving fast and all players -- including newcomers -- are building upon ideas that have been around for decades."

So the newcomers, which very well could exist with some Google Ventures at stake in them, and the decades-old design ideas will, eventually, come to some sort of head beyond last week's ruling.

Steve Jobs' thermonuclear approach to Google is still slow-rolling across the valley, with Google taking more of the critical-consumer-mass approach/defense (the ant) to Apple's war-on-all-fronts tactic (the grasshopper).